Substances K97-0239 and process for producing the same

Abstract

A microorganism capable of producing substances K97-0239 comprising K97-0239A represented by the following formula [I]: and K97-0239B represented by the following formula [II]: is cultured in a medium and the substances K97-0239 thus accumulated in the medium are collected from the culture medium. The obtained substances have a low toxicity and specifically inhibit the foaming of macrophages. Owing to these characteristics, they are useful in preventing and treating human arteriosclerosis and diseases caused thereby.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A K97-0239 substance comprising K97-0239A substance represented by formula [I]:                    
       and K97-0239B substance represented by formula [II]:                    
     
     
       2. A process for production of K97-0239 substance comprising culturing a microorganism belonging to genus  Streptomyces  and having ability to produce K97-0239 substance, accumulating K97-0239 substance in a cultured mass and isolating K97-0239 substance from said cultured mass. 
     
     
       3. The process according to  claim 2  wherein a microorganism belonging to genus  Streptomyces  and having ability to produce K97-0239 substance is  Streptomyces  sp. K97-0239 FERM BP-7514. 
     
     
       4. A microorganism belonging to genus  Streptomyces  and having ability to produce K97-0239 substance, and wherein said microorganism is  Streptomyces  sp. K97-0239 FERM BP 7514 and mutant strains thereof. 
     
     
       5. A K97-0239 substance comprising K97-0239A substance represented by formula [I]:                    
     
     
       6. A K97-0239 substance comprising K97-0239A substance represented by formula [II]: